MONDAY: The Brewers announced today via press release that they declined Macha's 2011 option.
SUNDAY: Ken Macha informed the Associated Press tonight that the Brewers told him they will not be exercising his club option for 2011. Earlier today, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported the same through a source, saying an official announcement should come tomorrow. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported two weeks ago that Macha was "almost certain" to be let go.
Macha posted a 157-167 record in two seasons as the Brewers' manager. Haudricourt notes in his blog post that Macha had limited interaction with his players, partially due to the generation gap.
Wow. Interesting. So thats another managerial opening and another manager in the free manager pool. I think he would be a good fit for the Pirates or the Mets.
I personally think Willie Randolph would be a fine fit for the Brewers managerial opening.
If they would have thought Willie randolph could do the job I think they would have canned macha in the season already.
If it’s true that he has limited interactions with his players, why would any team hire him as a manager?
Most of the Brewers grew up with Ned Yost as their manager. Whatever you think of his in game decisions, and there was a lot to complain about, and even though he was wound kind of tight, he always had good communication with his players. I marvel watching Charlie Manuel in the dugout. Players walk right up to him and start talking to him; he sometimes goes and sits down next to a player and starts talking to him. During a game! That’s someone who can talk with his players. Most managers seem to wall themselves off with their coaches and away from their players. The Phillies give Charlie everything they’ve got every time they step on the field. The Brewers need someone like that. A players manager.
Macha wouldn’t be a good choice for most teams. Baseball players are human. They need feedback from their boss, direct instruction, need to know the how and want to know sometimes why. Macha is perhaps better suited to a different kind of job in baseball.
That’s just it, though. Where do we find another manager like that? There aren’t many of them, and those that are out there, have jobs. Who do we hire? As a side note, my two personal favorite candidates are Mike Quade and Randy Ready.
I think Macha would be a good manager for a veteran team, but that’s about it. Not really sure how many teams in MLB could be called “veteran teams” anymore.
Macha seemed disinterested to the point of looking asleep at times. He has no fire.
Blaming a generation gap is a tactful way of saying he’s over the hill.
Generation gap? Only if he wants one. Manuel is 66-that should be an even bigger generation gap-except he doesn’t have that problem. It’s more of a personality thing. Some folks aren’t comfortable around those young ‘uns.
I really hope he doesn’t come to the Pirates. He’d be John Russell 2.0.
wow, another team in need of a new manager and yet another new candidate
I remember reading an article a few years back in which Adam Melhuse complained that Ken Macha didn’t speak to him once for the last month of the season as he sat him on the bench. Looks like not much has changed.
I don’t know how you can be a Major League manager if you don’t interact with your players. The guy has no business being in a Major League dugout.
Prince Fielder to the sorry sucker, err, umm, team who will fork over young, good pitching, for either a year of Fielder, or an extension, and have to watch his downfall of not watching his weight/figure, and end up like his daddy dearest and Mo Vaughn.
lol cause hes such a big boy thats what makes your joke funny good job henry real creative laughs thanks to you!!!
Nice sarcasm, General Sarcasm.
Macha deserves some blame. I’m just wondering when Bob Melvin gets some blame.
Duh. Doug Melvin
How old is Bobby Cox, 71ish? No generational gap issues there….maybe “generational gap” means “GM can’t build a starting rotation” in another language.
Nah…it’s code for “can’t communicate with his players because he really doesn’t want to talk to them”
You’re right it’s not an age thing. It’s more a personality thing.
Your comment about building a rotation is pretty funny-Milwaukee is a tough place to pitch and they don’t help matters by putting a bunch of players that can’t really catch the ball on the field. All at the same time!
The Brewers need a manager who can develop players. Someone good at teaching (cause less face it, no free agent is flocking to the Brewers willingly). I don’t know the managerial candidates very well, so I’m not sure who is the best fit. But they don’t need a charismatic, flashy guy, they don’t need a player’s manager that is too relaxed, they don’t need a brilliant in game strategist, and they don’t need an angry fiery guy either. They need someone patient with young players and can teach them to maximize their talents.
When you have young guys like Fielder and Braun that won’t listen, it’s a tough task.
Fielder won’t be coached because he’s stat building for the big contract – dad stole millions from him early career and he’s entitled to big money.
Braun struts around like he’s already in the hall of fame. Merchandising himself, working on his fashion line and starting restaurants all in-season. It’s no wonder he’s regressed after his amazing rookie season.
These young stars are a blessing and a curse for the team – sure the pitching is bad, but the Brewers have other less obvious but very serious problems.
Gotta like Macha, I always think of the story where he took the entire A’s team bus to Dairy Queen during spring training in full uniform. How can you not like a manager like that?